ORANGEBURG, SC – Two Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 employees are among 10 individuals scheduled for induction into the SC State University Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 10.
Robert Hemby Sr. and David Lee Norman, both assistant principals in the District, and eight other former Bulldog athletes will be enshrined during a 7 p.m. Hall of Fame Banquet at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. The university will also induct the 1988-89 men's MEAC championship and NCAA participant basketball team and the 1990-91 MEAC champion volleyball squad, and all of the inductees will be presented at halftime of the Sept. 11 football contest between the Bulldogs and Mississippi Valley, set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Tickets for the banquet are $50 for adults, $35 for children 15 and under and $450 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, call the SC State Ticket Office at 803-536-8579, Sports Information at 803-536-7060 or Mary Hill at 803-533-3783.
An assistant principal at Clark Middle School, Hemby was a four-year letterman as a defensive back for the Bulldogs during his career (1968-72). The Brooklyn, NY native intercepted sixteen passes as a Bulldog, including three in one half against Morgan State in 1971. He played in the first annual Black College East/West All Star Game and had one interception. After completing his Bulldog career, he signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972.
A longtime Orangeburg educator, Hemby had three sons to play football for SC State -- Robert II, a quarterback and defensive back; Ryan, a defensive back; and Russell, who played quarterback and defensive back.
Norman, an Orangeburg-Wilkinson assistant principal and former Bruin assistant football coach, was a starting wide receiver and kick returner for the Bulldogs three seasons (1982-85). He set then-school record for receptions in a game (9), season (45) – both coming in 1985 – and a career (75), 1984-85. A Lincolnton, Georgia native, he earned All-MEAC first team honors as a kick returner in 1984 and was a second-team All-MEAC selection as a wide receiver in 1985. Norman, MVP in the Coca Cola Black College All-Star Classic in 1985, played three seasons (1985-87) as a wide receiver with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He coached football, baseball and basketball on the high school level for 16 years.
The 2010 Class: Dr. Thomas Lee “Jr. Boy” Adams (Football/Baseball 1957-61, posthumous), Roderick “Moo Moo” Blakney (Basketball 1995-98), Donald Cooper (Track & Field/Football 1992-97), Luther Dixon (Football 1974-77), Robert Hemby, Sr. (Football 1968-72), Joseph “Joe” Montford (Football 1989-93); Bobby Moore (Football 1975-78), David Lee Norman (Football 1982-85), Arthur Prescott (Football 1975-78), Arthur Snipe (Basketball 1976-80), 1988-89 Men's Basketball Team (MEAC Champion/NCAA Participant), 1990-91 Volleyball Team (MEAC Champion).
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